Common Core Launches Avalanche of Innovation

Lifting the lowest 30 state standards to real college and career readiness levels isn’t the only benefit of the Common Core. The new standards unleashed a timely wave of investment in digital content.

In addition to the passing of textbooks, we’re watching the end of the first generation of flat and sequential digital content. The timely introduction of the Core is accelerating the introduction of engaging and standards-aligned adaptive content.

MIND Research Institute just launched a touch version of its visual ST Math. The program has posted great results with twice weekly lab use. Now that it is available on tablets it opens up a world of possibilities for expanded use—and impact.

Learn Capital portfolio companies leading the shift to the Common Core include:

Mastery Connect provides a platform to connect Common Core goals with classroom practice through the innovative use of on-­‐demand micro-­assessments sourced from a nationwide network of educators.

Core standards are also the basis for next generation assessments in development by the Race to the Top funded testing consortia—PARCC and SBAC. These online assessments provide a useful timeline for the shift from print to digital instructional materials.

Common Core State Standards provide a national platform for innovation. For the first time, content developers can invest for a national market. As illustrated above, the Core has triggered a wave of investment in engaging, personalized learning content and tools.

Disclosures: Pearson is an investor in Learn Capital where Tom is a partner. MIND Research Institute is advocacy partner.

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Tom Vander Ark

Tom Vander Ark is founder and CEO of Getting Smart. He is also a partner in Learn Capital and a director of iNACOL, Digital Learning Institute, Imagination Foundation, Charter Board Partners, Strive for College, and Bloomboard.

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